Fitzpatrick in Middle of Congressional Controversy

The House of Representatives decided Friday to void the first six votes cast by local Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick who represents most of our area. (R) Rep. Pete Sessions a of Texas and Fitzpatrick were missing when new members of the House were sworn in.

It was announced this afternoon that the six votes made by the two not-quite-yet Congressmen had to be stricken because they were not sworn in.

Republicans Fitzpatrick and Sessions were at an event that was being held for Fitzpatrick in the Capitol building. The two men watched the swearing-in on a television that was near them and raised their right hands and repeated the oath.

A Fitzpatrick’s spokesperson told CNN, Fitzpatrick thought he was sworn in because he signed an legal document saying so, this was not the case. Fitzpatrick was sworn in (again) by Speaker of the House, John Boehner yesterday.

With the House voting to strike Fitzpatrick and Sessions previously made votes this leaves both men with a 0-6 voting record.

The Sunlight Foundation on it’s website is claiming the Fitzpatrick event was being held at the Capitol was a fundraiser which is illegal. The Foundation says because the organizers charged $30 a passenger to ride buses to Washington D.C. for the event attended by the new Representatives

An online registration list for the event sponsored by “Fitzpatrick for Congress” solicited contributions of $30, $60, $90, $120 or other.

The Morning Call of Allentown reports that the issue of whether a law was broken now lies in the hands of the Office of Congressional Ethics and the House Ethics Committee.